It's Time To Talk About Your Health....

Long time no post! I'll spare you the apologies and excuses, and jump right into what I want to talk about.....health!

I recently found a SD memory card from a camera I had about two years ago. I grabbed it and made a mad dash to the laptop to see what "ancient" jewels it held. It popped up with 535 pictures, I clicked download, and within a matter of seconds I was skimming through photos I had completely forgotten I had taken. Then, I made it to the section I had subconsciously tried to forget. The 2008 Marine Corps Ball. The dress I had chosen, within 20 minutes in the store, was NOT flattering at all. It was not only the dress that brought me to pure horror, but my weight. I hadn't realized until that point how heavy I was. Not an "O my gosh Becky, I can't believe I ate that extra cracker at lunch, 20 minutes extra cardio for me tonight!" but the "how did my family and friends not have an intervention to stop me from destroying myself" heavy. As much as I wanted to close out of the program, I continued on, jumping from picture to picture, looking bigger and unhealthier in each as they progressed.

It was at that moment that I swore to myself to get back on track. Since that time I had dropped about thirty or so pounds. It wasn't just the weight that was my goal, but all over health. I gained muscle so that could account for a few extra pounds. I went off of the way clothes fit way looser and it felt great! I reached a plateau about a month or two ago. I stopped going to the gym like I should have and stopped eating healthy like I used to. I was disappointed in myself. A lot of people try to blame the holidays, but that was not the case. I had given up. Until I saw what I used to look like. Sometimes it takes a kick in the ass to remember what you are fighting for.

So, I have been making it a point to cook home cooked meals each night. It has been working so far.

Now, you will have to excuse the tilapia. I guess I didn't realize how easily it would fall apart after marinading it in a lemon/hot sauce mixture. Either way, grilled tilapia (my own recipe), baked asparagus (biggest loser cook book- this was the first recipe from there I didn't enjoy), and a mixed salad (just lettuce and spinach). All-in-all it was a pretty good dinner.

Anyways, I'm always looking for great new recipes, whether it be for a main course, side, snack, beverage, whatever. So if you ever have anything to share, lay it on me :)

I hope to keep you guys updated on the process. Hopefully I can be an inspiration for some of you that may be wanting to get on the healthy path too. Maybe some of you can be MY inspiration?

De-Stress for Less!

I grew up in a modest household, with modest parents & a pretty modest life. We didn't live in luxury but at the same time, we never went without (I've recently learned apparently that makes you "poor" in some people's eyes, not being handed everything on a silver platter). Anyways, it was not until later on in life when I had my income and hardly any bills to pay, that I discovered things like name brand clothing, and more importantly, the spa. You see, it never really was a big deal that I was never pampered, manicured and massaged on a monthly basis, UNTIL I discovered it was out there.

My first full taste of pampering came when I was given a gift package, from hubby of course, to a very popular Spa in the area. It was good for a mani/pedi, facial, massage and other girlie galore! I had my nails and feet done a few times before, but never a full day at the spa. I have to say, it was the best experience in my life! But let's wake up and be honest, times are tough right now and I don't think anyone really has the time OR money to spend on days at the spa every couple of weeks or so.

SO, naturally when I came across an article in the Weight Watchers (September/October 2009) Edition, it caught my interest. "Bliss Out for Less." Anyways, I figured I would pass some of the tips along to you guys and see how they work out for you as well as myself!

(1) Fill one bowl with cold water and ice, another with warm water. Plunge your hands into the cold water for 90 seconds, then into the warm for 90 seconds. Repeat 5 times then dry and moisturize hands

(2) Take a tennis ball and, while seated, roll it over the sole of each foot ten times. You can also lie on the ground and place the ball under your neck or upper back and roll up and down over the ball. Focus on tense or sore muscles

(3) Gaze at a point straight ahead of you and focus on it. Breathe through the nose and inhale while counting to four, pause then exhale while counting to four. Repeat a few times.

There are many, many more "spa" like tricks in the magazine, definitely worth checking out!